Why civilian jobs aren't all that different to the military

It might seem like a huge gear change, and don’t get us wrong, it’s a shift. But there are many ways in which civilian work-life aligns closely with roles in the military.  

Of course, the actual tasks in hand will change. But you’ll still be working in a team, focusing on reaching targets, delivering results and adapting to changing situations. Here they are explained. 

1. Team work  👥

Whether you’re a team leader, supervisor, manager, or team player, you still need to be able to communicate effectively with people. Being able to collaborate effectively is super important in any career, and your time in the military will have meant you’re already good at working with others. Be that in motivating, giving feedback, resolving conflict and celebrating team success, it is all still relevant. 

Having good working relationships makes life easier for everyone, and the people skills that the military arms you with means you’ll be a productive member of any team. It’s not all that different. 

2. Output focused 📈

At their core, all jobs have a goal. You’ll be required to meet key performance indicators, track your progress, and learn from your mistakes. All that happens is these targets move from mission, training, or operational objectives and could become sales quotas, project deadlines or customer success metrics. 

Your ability to focus on accomplishing goals means you’ve got what it takes to do well in civilian roles. Plus, you’ll have an acute attention to detail, high standards and an apt awareness of working efficiently. 

3. Problem-solving 🔎

Military jobs demand adaptability and problem-solving skills. You’ll have navigated some highly challenging situations, in environments that change rapidly.

In civilian jobs, shifts in markets, organisational changes and new customer demands mean that you need to be able to think on your feet. Being able to critically analyse and apply logic to your reasoning are two skills that employers look for when hiring. 

Plus, if you’re joining a startup or scaleup, you’ll need to be able to be resourceful and often work with shoestring budgets on tight deadlines. As an ex-mil, you’ll handle this with a cool energy that others might struggle with. 

If you're ready to get cracking with a new career, get on the platform now.